Riverina Skilled Migration Information for Regional Employers Can I employ a skilled migrant? Assistance is available for Regional employers who wish to sponsor overseas skilled people to fill vacant positions within their business. To be eligible the following conditions must be met: • The employer is willing to sponsor the applicant to come to the region • The employer has been unsuccessful in their attempts to fill the position using the local labour market • The position is full-time and requires at least diploma/trade level qualifications • The terms and conditions of employment are in line with the Market Salary Rate Regional Development Australia (RDA) Riverina can assist you with this process as the Regional Certifying Body for the Riverina region (encompassing the 15 LGA’s of Bland (West Wyalong), Carrathool, Hay, Cootamundra Gundagai, Junee, Griffith, Leeton, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Temora, Wagga Wagga, Snowy Valeys (Tumut, Tumbarumba), Lockhart and Coolamon). What sponsorship options do I have? There are two alternatives for regional employer sponsorship: • Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) – This requires a commitment of at least 3 years by the employer and employee. The skilled migrant may apply for permanent residency after meeting the 3 year requirements – Skilled Regional visa (subclass 191) which commences on 16 November 2022. • Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482 Short or Medium Term) – This is available for a contract employment period of up to 2 or 4 years. The skilled migrant is given temporary residence status in Australia for the duration of the employment contract. Employers can continue sponsoring the skilled migrant by submitting a new 482 or SESR subclass 494 application. Another option is to recruit a skilled migrant who has been sponsored by RDA Riverina. RDA Riverina nominates applicants who possess the skills which are in demand in the region. The skilled migrant is granted the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa subclass 489 or the new Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) which gives the holder temporary residence status for up to 4 or 5 years. This option does not set conditions other than the usual obligations of an employer under FairWork Australia. Who can be a skilled migrant? Overseas applicants for skilled migration must meet the basic requirements as set by The Department of Home Affairs (DOHA). • under 45 years of age if you are applying under the SESR subclass 494 and the SWR 491, • Has at least ‘competent’ level English • Possess at least diploma level, trade qualifications or relevant work experience to the nominated occupation • Able to perform the duties required for the nominated occupation as recognized by DOHA under the Australian New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) in Skill Levels 1, 2 or 3 • If overseas trade qualified, has been successfully assessed by the relevant Australian Assessing Authority related to the nominated occupation p/2……. Riverina Skilled Migration Information for Regional Employers How do I find a skilled migrant? There are many ways to find a skilled migrant: • Contact the Skilled Migration Officer outlining the skills or occupation you are looking for. The Skilled Migration Officer receives regular enquiries from people wanting to come to the Riverina and if we know you are looking for a particular occupation we can facilitate contact with any suitably qualified person who expresses an interest in the region. • Contact a Migration Lawyer/Agent – they represent people wishing to come to Australia, including skilled people. Migration Lawyers/Agents charge for their services, with reputable agents registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority. Their website can be found at https://www.mara.gov.au/ . • The skilled migrant finds you! – Job hunters often search the internet to look for positions vacant in their nominated occupation. Advertising your position on the web, through a job agency, jobsriverina or on your own website, will increase the audience for your ad. How can the RDA-Riverina help me? The RDA-Riverina is a gazetted Regional Certifying Body for the DHA. RDA-Riverina provides these services through the Skilled Migration Officer and an administration fee applies for processing applications. The Skilled Migration Officer will also help you to understand the options you have in relation to the listed visas. Applications for sponsoring a skilled migrant under the RSMS Direct Entry scheme must be certified by RDA-Riverina. Enquiries and applications for certification should be directed to Miss Faye Anderson, Skilled Migration Officer, RDA Riverina. Contact details are as follows: Phone: 02 5924 5861, Email: [email protected] Where can I find more information? • For information on visa options see the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) website - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder • For information on how to identify and contact skilled applicants who wish to migrate to Australia see - https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/employing-and-sponsoring-someone/learn-about-employing-migrants • For information on the NSW Regional Skilled Migration program see the NSW Trade and Investment website - https://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/live-and-work-in-nsw/visas-and-immigration/skilled-regional-nominated-migration- 489 • For information on the Riverina Skilled Migration Program see the Regional Development Australia Riverina website - http://www.rdariverina.org.au/skilled-migration.aspx November 2019 .